Keeping Tabs: Events in and around Boston

Francis Ma

Friday

Mar 28, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Annie is back on stage (and so is Go Diego Go for those of you who have pre-school kids), the creator of "Hellboy" talks at the ICA, and a political play opens with the best title for a production that, somehow, isn't about the Clintons in "Elections & Erections: A Chronicle of Fear and Fun."

A Dirty, Sexy Political Play: Settle down. It’s still too early for “Client Number Nine,” my planned musical on the rise and fall of Eliot Spitzer. Instead, this is Pieter-Dirk Uys new show “Elections & Erections: A Chronicle of Fear and Fun” and in the press release he makes it clear that it isn’t “a Clinton family copyright.” The play is from the point of view of a South African during the apartheid years. This is pure satirical joy for anyone who’s sick of plays full of people engaging in long-winded stories about their lives. If I want that, I can just call up my dad and ask him “So, how was work today?” and get a personalized, hour-long performance. April 3 through May 4, Tuesdays through Thursdays 7:30 p.m., Fridays 8 p.m., Saturdays 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the A.R.T.’s Zero Arrow Theatre in Cambridge. Tickets: $15-$52. Call 617-547-8300.

Coffee and Jam Sessions: Bradford Marsalis is teaming up with the Berklee College of Music to bring Marsalis Jams to the recently launched student-run coffee shop Café 939. The Miguel Zenon Quartet will perform at the event with brief sets that will segue into the jam. The idea is for music students to learn from established groups and to play with them. It’s also a chance for the students to get comfortable performing in a coffee shop, where a majority of musicians spend much of their early career singing and playing for change and a cheap caffeine high. Wednesday and Thursday, April 2-3, 8 p.m. at Café 939 (939 Boylston St) in Boston. Tickets: $15. Call 617-266-1400.

Diego Returns for a Rescue: Grab the kids because it’s time for them to completely lose it when the national touring production of “Go, Diego, Go Live! The Great Jaguar Rescue” returns to Boston. For those that don’t know, Diego is a bilingual 8-year-old who spends his time saving animals and singing the “Hello” song. Inspired by “Avenue Q,” I’m pitching a version of Go, Diego, Go for adults, in which a grown-up Diego saves us from making poor stock decisions, explains things like “PMI” and sings karaoke on a Friday night. I want that show. For now, we’ve got the kids’ version. April 5-6, Saturday 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The Opera House in Boston. Tickets: $21-$53.50. Call 617-931-2787.

The Man Behind ‘Hellboy’: Before the “Hellboy” sequel comes out this summer, you have a chance to meet Mike Mignola, the guy who dreamed up the comic about the demon who is the world’s greatest paranormal investigator. He will speak about current and upcoming projects, including how his comic went from the page to screen (he was heavily involved with the filmmaking). And yes, if you paint your body red, wear a trench coat and walk around with a massive boxing glove on your right hand, you may get special attention from Mignola and probably security. Thursday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Tickets: $12. Call 617-478-3103.

Red-Headed Orphan: It’s time to sing your favorite songs from “Annie,” because, somehow the familiar melodies of “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” and “Tomorrow” haven’t driven you completely mad. “America’s most beloved musical” (wait, it’s not “Cats”?) returns to Boston for its 30th anniversary tour and will only play for a week. March 25-30, Tuesday to Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 7 p.m. with matinees on Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston. Tickets: $28-$72. Call 800-447-7400.

Porter Performance: Ten singers and a six-piece instrumental group will celebrate the romantic music and lyrics of Cole Porter in this all-student production. You’ll hear Broadway classics like “What Is This Thing Called Love?,” “Begin the Beguine,” and “In the Still of the Night.” Don’t know who Porter is? Well put down that Hannah Montana album and join the varsity team of music appreciation. Monday and Tuesday, March 31 and April 1, 8 p.m. at the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston. Free. Call 617-585-1122.

Art, the Fancy Kind: Yes, there’s a difference. You have the typical art in the form of paintings and sculptures that you find at the MFA. Then you have items that represent major design movements from Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern. When the art comes from a movement, it’s automatically fancy. See furniture, ceramics, glass and jewelry at AD 20/21: Art & Design of the 20th & 21st Centuries. Want more of the fancy stuff? Show up for the gala preview and get first crack at the good stuff. April 3-6, Thursday (gala event) 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. 5 p.m. at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in the South End. Tickets: $100-$250 for gala event, weekend admission $15. Call 617-363-0405.

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